Pigeon fanciers lung: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Pigeon fanciers lung, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is an unusual but important occupational and recreational cause of severe and debilitating breathlessness. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 61-year-old Caucasian man suffering with severe breathlessness due to pigeon fanciers lung. He had previously raced and bred pigeons for 25 years but had discontinued the pursuit a decade ago. CONCLUSION: Pigeon fanciers lung can be associated with severe debilitating dyspnoea and patients may present many years after exposure to avian antigens. Physicians should be encouraged to take a detailed occupational and recreational history in any patient presenting with unexplained breathlessness.